Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)

The Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) Also Great Black-Backed Gull, Gaviota

breeds on coasts and islands through much of the southern hemisphere. These shots are from 2008 in various parts of Chile.

L. dominicanus is the subspecies found around South America, parts of Australia (where it overlaps with Pacific Gull), and New Zealand (where it is known as the Southern Black-backed Gull or by its Māori name Karoro).

The adult Kelp Gull has black upperparts and wings. The head, underparts, tail and the small "mirrors" at the wing tips are white. The bill is yellow with a red spot, and the legs are greenish.

Young birds have scaly black-brown upperparts, and a neat wing pattern. They take four years to reach maturity. Kelp Gulls are omnivores like most Larus gulls, and they will scavenge as well as seeking suitable small prey.

Bird Bits:

The scientific name comes from the Dominican order of friars who wore black and white habits.[1]

The Kelp Gull is one of the many species whose feathers were used for fashionable clothing in the 1800s. After the demise of the feather trade in the early 1900s, Kelp Gull populations increased and the species spread farther south. (2)

Young Gulls do not fly away from the nest area until they are about 50 days old. They return to the nesting territory to rest and be fed for another 50 days. Some young may remain with their parents for months after leaving the breeding colony, but most join congregations of other immature gulls in places where food is easy to find. (2)

In winter, large numbers of young Kelp Gulls eat fish driven to the surface by humpback whales. (2)

To feed the young, the young birds peck at the red spot on the beak which triggers a regurgitation reflex.